Finally meeting Cat_Man at :Lincoln Beach

[TubeDude]

[cool][font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][#0000ff]It was supposed to get windy this morning. There was also a big full moon in the sky as TubeBabe and I headed south to meet up with Cat_Man at Lincoln Beach. We were already preparing our list of excuses, just in case we got sprayed by skunk.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We drove up to water's edge just after 6 AM. There were lots of carp rolling in just a few inches of water near shore. I hadn't brought my bow but I wanted a couple of carp to replenish my bait supply, so I got out my walleye rod with a plastic jig on it and let TubeBabe get her tube ready by herself. I quickly "force fed" two hefty buglemouths and left them in the cooler while I got my tube ready to launch too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Cat_Man was not supposed to show up for an hour or so, having taken the morning off work for our long delayed (over two years) meetup. I stayed near the launch area, fishing in close, while TubeBabe worked up toward the inlet of Benjamin Slough. She scored the first channel cat...a 3 pounder.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I finally got a couple of bites but they were "pop and drop". I guessed they were probably bullheads. When I landed one a few minutes later I was proven right. But, I couldn't get a good "[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=266925;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#"][green][size 1]runner[/size][/green][/url]".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Cat_Man showed up a few minutes after 7 and kicked on out for our first face-to-face howdy. I handed him some minnows and he moved off toward the area where TubeBabe was fishing. He was only about a hundred yards away when I set the hook on my first channel...a feisty 2.8 pounder. That was right at 8 AM.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I fished shallow and deep, flyline and bobber. I had a couple more light inquiries during the next hour, but finally got another channel, slightly smaller than the first, right at 9 AM. I missed the 10 AM [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=266925;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#"][green][size 1]fish[/size][/green][/url] because I was saying goodbye to Cat_Man, who had to leave early, and I was not paying attention.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Just as his truck drove off, I had a good runner and set the hook in something with shoulders. Turned out to be a lean and mean spawned out female channel kitty that went 25 inches and weighed 6.5 pounds. That was one of the hardest battles I have ever had from a catfish. She took off on several drag burning runs and would not come off the bottom when I got her close to the tube. I was guessing over 10 pounds before I finally got my first look at her.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]TubeBabe had covered a lot of water and still only had the first fish she had caught. Seems to jinx her everytime she catches the first one. But, just as she was getting back to the area I was [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=266925;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#"][green][size 1]fishing[/size][/green][/url] she put the hook into a brawling 2.5 pounder. That was her last of the day.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I got the last fish of the morning around 11 AM, just as the calm water started to get a ripple from a building north breeze. As is typical down there, the fish shut down when the north breeze comes up. We couldn't get another bite.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Water temps at launch were 68 and warmed to almost 73 when we got off the water about noon. Air temps went from 60 to 90 during the same period.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Love that fish cleaning station. Used my portable electric [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=266925;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#"][green][size 1]fillet knife[/size][/green][/url] to whip out the fillets from the cats and also to fillet the carp for bait. Really saves a lot of mess at home.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have the catfish fillets in the smoker right now. By morning, they will be just about right to take to the jig making party tomorrow night.[/#0000ff]


(This post was [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_editlog;post=266925;"][#000000]edited[/#000000][/url] by TubeDude on Jun 12, 2006, 5:07 PM)
[/size][/black][/font] [font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/font] [font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=16674;"][#333366] DAWN LAUNCH.JPG [/#333366][/url](146 KB) [/size][/black][/font] [font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=16675;"][#333366] TOO WINDY.JPG [/#333366][/url](109 KB) [/size][/black][/font] [font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=16676;"][#333366] CATLESS CAT_MAN.JPG [/#333366][/url](129 KB) [/size][/black][/font] [font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=16677;"][#333366] TWOFER BAIT.JPG [/#333366][/url](208 KB) [/size][/black][/font] [font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=16678;"][#333366] 23 INCHER.JPG [/#333366][/url](168 KB) [/size][/black][/font] [font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=16679;"][#333366] 25 IN. MAMA.JPG [/#333366][/url](183 KB) [/size][/black][/font] [font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=16680;"][#333366] NORTH WIND AT NOON.JPG [/#333366][/url](153 KB) [/size][/black][/font] [font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=16681;"][#333366] TWOFER TUBEBABE.JPG [/#333366][/url](215 KB) [/size][/black][/font] [font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=16682;"][#333366] DA DUDE'S FOUR.JPG [/#333366][/url](130 KB) [/size][/black][/font]
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[smallmouth89]

[#0000ff][size 1]"I fished shallow and deep, flyline and bobber."[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]TD,[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The above quote from your recent post has piqued my curiosity. As a flyrod fisherman who is not afraid to push the envelope and think outside the box, I'm very interested in what your doing with this setup and the use of a flyline. (I know you're mostly spinning or baitcasting with bait for the cats!)[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Don[/size][/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]"Flylining" a bait is an old west coast saltwater term that refers to sending out a bait without any weight on the line. They use live anchovies, sardines or other baitfish and pin them to a hook tied directly to the line, without any kind of weight. This allows the bait to swim freely so that the yellowtail, bonito, barracuda, calico bass or other surface feeding predators will find it more attractive.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I just kinda adopted the term for fishing any kind of bait without weight. When I fish for cats from my tube, I usually do not use weight. Instead, I pin a minnow, nightcrawler or piece of fish flesh on a hook tied directly on the end of the line...sometimes using a swivel a couple of feet up the line to reduce twist.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I fish the bait by tossing it out a good long cast and letting it settle to the bottom. Then, I move slowly along, dragging the bait and occasionally giving it a little lift or jiggle. I keep my finger on the line and the bail open. When a fish picks up the bait, I let go of the line and let it run a ways to get the bait well inside its mouth. Then, I flip the bail, crank the handle a couple of times and when the fish pulls the line tight I cross its eyes.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Now, that being said, I also fish cats with a flyrod and several different patterns of flies. Wherever the water is clear enough for cats to feed by sight, they will chase live prey and will respond to a variety of different artificials. I once won a bet by catching 20 cats in less than an hour using a six weight flyrod, sink tip line, six feet of level six pound leader and a size 4 black wooly bugger. The bet was actually that I could not catch EVEN ONE catfish on a fly. By the time I finished my demo...with several witnesses and onlookers...the guy who made the bet was long gone.[/#0000ff]
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[bassguy64]

Good stuff there TD. I enjoy your writing style which makes for a great read.

I have been tryin to catch a carp for some bait as there is a channel that I fish alot for Bass that have a few good size Cats in. Both times while I almost have them in my line breaks. I believe its breaking right at the hook. (using palomar knot) The first time was on Yo-Zuri 10lb fluorocarben and the last was on reg 10lb mono. I think I have the solution...I just spooled the baitcaster with 50lb braid so the next one wont be gettin away...they have both been BIG carp close to 36 inch range

Bguy64
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Thanks for the kindly comments. Glad you enjoy my "prose".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Knot problems have always been an issue with fluoro line. You might wanna try my "Knew Knot" that I just reposted here on the tubing board.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Carp are the "Rodney Dangerfields" of the fish world...at least in the USA. They are highly prized game fish (and food fish) in many other parts of the world. I have always enjoyed doing battle with them, but I also snag them when I need bait and arrow them both for sport and to add to my bait supply. Here are a couple of pics.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]By the way, you might consider trying some Silver Thread Excalibur line. I have been using it for several years. It is very strong and abrasion resistant. I have landed flatheads over 30# on the 6# line and carp about that big on 8 and 10. Great knot strength too. It is available through Cabelas and at some retail outlets. Very reasonable price too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The reason I mention that is because carp are no pushovers. They can be line shy. The heavy braid will doubtless handle the fish, but only if they will bite in the first place.[/#0000ff]
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[cat_man]

I was wondering about that term as well, but I forgot to ask earlier what you meant by that.

I never use weight for catfishing either, not even from shore unless I absolutely HAVE to cast it out a mile. And then it's a slip barrel sinker so as to minimize the chance the fish will feel it.

I think I'll nurse my pride later this week with some good ol' carp fishing at work, or maybe I'll go explore the Provo Bay at the next freeway stop where the canal enters the lake.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I don't do a lot of "bankin'", but when I fish cats from shore I also fish them with no weight. Most of the places I fish cats from dry land are where they are easily reached with a short cast...Lincoln Beach or Willard Bay. No extra weight is usually necessary to get the distance.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One trick I like to use when fishing this way is the "can-tinkle" strike indicator. After making the cast I leave the bail open on the reel and secure the rod in a holder. I put a loop of the line around the top of an EMPTY drink can and wait for a taker. When a fish grabs the bait it pulls the loop of line from the can, usually knocking the can over. The "tinkle" of the can is an audible alert that you have action. You look to make sure that the fish is still pulling line from the open bail. Then, you pick the rod out of the holder, click the bail, wait for the line to come tight and WHAM![/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Hey Kevin, next time don't go running (kicking) off up the lake. Stick around and I will make sure that you get a shot at some fish. Just don't bring any more of that stinky old white bass. Either that or stay downwind from me. No wonder you didn't get any action. Even catfish wouldn't go near that stuff. WHEW![/#0000ff]
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[cat_man]

You got it! I could have used the help. lol. When you mentioned Benjamin Slough, and pointed out TubeBabe was over there, I thought you said you were heading that way too, so I headed that way.

When you stayed behind, I figured you were onto something, so I only went about halfway and tried casting half a minnow in about 3 1/2 feet of water near the edge of the stickups , then out in deeper 4-5 feet.

No luck.

Do you prefer the head or the tail, or the minnow whole?

(I HAD to half it, because I forgot my extra hooks in the car and only had a size 4 or 6 on my pole, which wouldn't fit a whole minnow very well).
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I am using whole minnows, but sometimes half ones work best. I am catching the most fish on the larger whole minnows right now. But, even a big minnow does not keep the bullheads away from the bait. If they don't trash your minnow and drop it they sometimes even get hooked on minnows about half their own size.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And...I usually only use size 4 hooks, hooked lightly through either the nose or the gill collar of the minnow. If you hook it right, the bait stays on well enough to hook the fish, and the size 4 is plenty big. If you drag around a bait with a hook that is too large you spend all your time unhooking snags.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]See...if you had not boogied off I could have got you rigged up and...who knows? It was not easy. The bites were few and far between. Start planning for a next time.[/#0000ff]
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[cat_man]

Will do. Thanks.
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